Improvements across the board as Lincoln students find out their GCSE results

Hundreds of nervous Lincoln students picked up their long-awaited GCSE results today, with many celebrating the outcome.

Provisional figures released today by Lincolnshire schools, including academies, indicate that the overall result for the national key GCSE indicator of 5+A*-C (including English and Maths) has increased this year to 58.6%.

The percentage of students attaining 5+ A*-C including English and Maths has increased by 3.8% on last year.

Three schools in the county have reported huge improvements of 10% or more on their results from last year in 5+A*-C grades (including English and Maths) – Branston Community Academy, Stamford Welland and William Lovell in Stickney.

The percentage of students attaining an A*-C grade in English and Maths has also increased by 3% to 59.9% compared to 56.9% last year.

The percentage of students achieving 5+ A*-A Grades in Lincolnshire’s Grammar schools is currently showing as 50.3% for 2015 which is an increase of 1.4% on last year.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “This level of success is an indication of commitment of young people, teachers, parents and carers across the county and my congratulations go to all of the students on their success.

“In particular, the percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate at 30.1% is a significant improvement.”

Debbie Barnes, Director of Children’s Services, added: “We have yet to see how the final figures will pan out. Our students have done incredibly well to maintain such excellent standards. Teachers, parents and carers deserve praise for their support and encouragement. My congratulations to all students and best wishes for your future plans.”

It’s the first year students finishing their Year 11 studies will have to remain in some form of education until they’re 18, and many students will be comparing their grades to the offers of places given to them.

There is plenty of help available on and after results day, such as Lincolnshire County Council’s own website for young people.

North Kesteven School ‘anomalies’

Amid the statistics is a worrying set of anomalies for one school in North Hykeham.

North Kesteven School is seeking an investigation into a batch of GCSE English Language results after high scoring English Literature students were given language results up to five grades lower.

It is understood that 57 of the 231 pupils who sat exams could have their papers re-marked.

Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School

Many students from Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School were pleased with their grades, with particular overall progress in maths.

Headteacher Mr Martin Mckeown said: “I am very pleased with our GCSE results this year. While our overall percentage for the proportion of students gaining 5+ A*-C grades including English and Mathematics is the same as 2014, the progress the students have made, particularly in Mathematics, has improved rapidly.

“We have a number of students with multiple A*/A grades and over a third of our students will leave with at least 1 A*/A which is very pleasing.

“Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard and I thank them for their efforts this year.”

Student Dylan Freestone said: “I am really pleased with my results. I got 3 A*, 7 A’s and 1 B. I plan to do A-Level History, Geography, Philosophy and English.”

Stephen Cheung said: “I am overwhelmed with my results. I have done a lot better than I expected. All the hard work over the last two years has paid off as I got 2 A*, 6 A’s and 3 B’s. I am going to study A-Level Geography, Math, Biology and Chemistry in September”

Matthew Herbert added: “I am really pleased with my GCSE results I got 1 A *, 8 A’ s and 3 B’s I am planning on taking A’ Level Math, Further Math, Sociology and Government and Politics”

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy

A total of 80% of students at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in North Hykeham have achieved a grade A* to C in their GCSE English exams.

The result is a massive increase on last year’s result of 67 % – beating the national average of 65.4%.

The academy recorded a 73% pass rate in maths grade A* to C, smashing the national average of 63.3%.

And in science, students secured a 100% pass rate in all single science exams – biology, chemistry and physics – as well as a 10% increase in the number of students who passed two science GCSEs compared to last year.

This year, the academy saw 61% of students pass five GCSEs grade A* to C, including English and maths.

Lyndsay Pustelnik, 15, got five A* grades in English literature, further maths, maths, religious studies and additional science, and five As in English language, French, history, psychology and core science.

“I was really nervous opening my results,” she said. “I was hoping for more A* grades because I’m a perfectionist but I’m happy with my results.”

Lyndsay is returning to the sixth form to study for A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and psychology.

Callum Sampson, 16, is one of four GCSE students from Sir Robert Pattinson to have secured an apprenticeship with Siemens and will start with the company on Monday.

Amelia Brown, got 11 grades in her GCSEs with three A* grades in maths, photography and psychology, A grades in biology, English language, further maths and chemistry and B grades in English literature, geography, PE and Spanish.

And Lauren Paterson, 16, who is hoping for a career as a paramedic, was delighted with her GCSE results.

Headteacher Helen Renard, said this year’s results were reward for the hard work of both students and staff, and she said she was also pleased with the academy’s EBacc results which have grown steadily since its introduction in 2013.

William Farr

The number of students who excelled in their GCSE has hit record highs at William Farr C of E School this year.

A staggering 11 students at the school achieved straight A and A*s this year in what have been another strong of results at the school.

In fact more than one in four exams entered by pupils at the school resulted in A or A* grades.

The number of pupils achieving 5 A*-C grades, at 82%, has exceeded even last year’s excellent results – with nearly two thirds achieving A*-C including English, maths and science.

The percentage of the 245 pupils achieving C and above grades in maths, English, humanities and languages are all better than last year, with maths results a particular highlight at nearly 90%.

Students who achieved straight A* and As included Hannah Bowes Smith (10 A*, 1 A), Rosie Butler (6 A*, 5 A), Daniel Clark (9 A*, 2 A), Lauren Dalton (7 A*, 5 A), Joseph Gilbert (8 A*, 3 A), Rachel Lee (10 A*, 1 A), Charlotte Pailing (8 A*, 4 A), Sioned Russell (6 A*, 4 A), Emily Batty (4 A*, 6 A), Hannah Milnes (5 A*, 5 A) and Lucy Wootton (4 A*, 7 A).

“We are very excited for the growing number of pupils who have really excelled this year but more importantly the overall performance of this year has been really strong,” said head teacher Andy Stones.

Lincoln College

Lincoln College Students noted some great results. It was a case of third time lucky for childcare student Laura Wass.

The 18-year-old, who is dyslexic, had to retake GCSE English three times while training to be a teaching assistant at Lincoln College and was delighted when she opened her results to discover she had finally achieved the grade she needed.

“Last year I got a D,” explained Laura, “so I’m really pleased that this year I’ve got a C which is what I need for my course at Bishop Grosseteste University.”

After finishing university almost 20 years ago, single dad James Bride from Lincoln decided to go back into education to help him achieve his dream of becoming a secondary school teacher.

James (40), who went into Lincoln College to pick up his exam results with his eight-year-old daughter Erin, was delighted when he anxiously tore open his envelope to discover he had not only passed GCSE Science but achieved a grade A!

Being a single dad, finding time to study wasn’t easy, but James said he is so pleased he decided to go back to the classroom.

“I’ve been thinking about changing career for a while now as, although I enjoy my current job, I want to do something more rewarding like teaching.”

Branston Community Academy

Staff and students at Branston Community Academy are celebrating more great GCSE results.

The number of pupils achieving at least 5 A*-C grades including English and maths has soared by 11% to 70%.

The results in Maths were particularly impressive – with the percentage of C grades and above growing by 14% to hit a record breaking 84%.

Staff were also delighted by some stand-out results in the physical and creative subjects:

• Art – 82% of students achieved a C grade and above with nearly a third achieving A* or A
• Design and technology – 84% with C and above and 43% A* or A
• Performing arts – 95% C and above and 50% A* or A
• PE – 91% C and above and 50% at A* or A

A number of students achieved straight A* and A grades with Scott Addison getting a clean sweep of 12 A* grades, Katie Brocklehurst achieving 9 A* and two As and Beth Willey accomplishing seven A* and five As.

“We are absolutely delighted with what has been an exceptional year for the school and students,” said head teacher Peter Beighton.

“Our students have really excelled and exceeded even our high expectations. In many subjects and measurements we have achieved the best results ever.”

Lincoln Castle Academy

Lincoln Castle Academy celebrates another year of exam success with Year 11 students achieving impressive results.

Some 80% of Lincoln Castle Academy students now progress into the Sixth Form, with others undertaking employment or apprenticeships.

Among those celebrating is Sophie Baddeley, 16 and formerly from Westgate Primary. She gained an amazing 5A*s, 4As and a B.

“I didn’t want to have any expectations because of how unpredictable grade boundaries are, so I was pleasantly surprised”, she said.

Sophie intends to continue at Lincoln Castle Academy’s Sixth Form, studying Maths, Further Maths, Sociology and Biology.

Jake Bradley, 15 formerly of Ermine Primary, gained a brilliant 3 As, 4Bs, C and double Distinction.

“I was overwhelmed!”, he said. “It took several moments to comprehend what I got. You shouldn’t under-estimate yourself and should keep striving forward.”

Jake will continue at Lincoln Castle Academy’s Sixth Form, studying Psychology, Maths, Chemistry and Biology.